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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Shet 1.

T. F. GAYNOR.

FIRE ALARM TELBGRAP'HY.

No. 335,026. Patented Jan. 26; 1886.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

T. F. GAYNOR.

' FIRE ALARM TELBGRAPHY.

No. 335,026. Patented Jan, 26, 1886.

N. PETERS Fhclo-Lilhogrnphcr, Washington. as.

EUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS F. GAYNOR, OF LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO THE LEX- INGTONMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

Fl RE-ALARM TEL EGRAPHY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 335,026, dated January26, 1886.

Application filed November 18, 1884. Serial No. 148,230. (No model.)

To all w/wm it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS F. GAYNOR, a

- resident of Lexington, in the county of Fayette and State of Kentucky,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire- AlarmTelegraphy, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved signal fire-alarm mechanism adaptedto be inclosed in the ordinary metallic box. I have shown the mechanismadapted to be worked by an automatic trip attached to the door-lock ofthe fire-box, similar to that shown inan application of even dateherewith.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a clock-train adaptedto automatically make a circuit to send signals or sound an alarm whenthe clock-train is set in motion, in combination with the independentkey for sending separate signals by the same circuit.

Another object of my invention is to provide simple and effective meansfor setting the clock -train into operation for making and breaking thecircuit.

Another feature of my invention consistsin combining with the metalliccircuit a groundcircuit, using one of the metallic circuit-wires as partof the circuit, operated by an independent key when the clock-work trainis out of circuit.

Another object of my invention is to provide a lightning arrester withan ordinary ground-wire connection, for carrying to the groundatmospheric electricity, combined with an automatic switch for makingone of the ground-connections for the ground-circuit.

Another object of my invention is to employ a second ground-circuitconnection,which can be brought into circuit by an independent key forsignaling over the secondary or ground circuit.

Other features of my invention will be fully set forth in thedescription of the accompanyof the lightning arrester and switch. Fig. 5is a diagram of the mechanism in circuit. Fig. 6 is a detail view of theindependent signaling-key.

A A represent the front and rear plates of the frame-work of theclock-train mechanism.

a represents the cross-girders combining the parts together.

B B represent the arms rigidly secured to plate A, for connecting theframe-work to the inside of the fire-alarm box, of the ordinaryconstruction, within which it is inclosed.

The clockwork mechanism is mounted upon the frame A A.

0 represents a main shaft. 0 represents a drum, within which is coiled aspring connected to the shaft 0, for setting it in motion in the mannerusual in clock and watch mechanism.

D represents a spur-wheel keyed upon sleeve H, meshing and driving spurd, keyed upon a suitable shaft, d, which also carries spurgear E, whichin turn meshes with the spur f, which carries the ratchet or escapementwheel F, the teeth of which engage with the escapement 6, so as toregulate the movement of the clock-train.

23 represents a toothed wheel on shaft d, which is revolved by the clocktrain and spring. This wheel is shown as provided with two teeth orprojections having a small space between them,-and then a longer spaceand three teeth, and then a longer space still be tween the set of threeteeth and the two, soas to signal an alarm of 2, then 3, indicating 23.

It is obvious that any number of teeth with suitable spaces may beemployed to represent the number of the call desired.

G represents a pawl attached to Wheel D, engaging with teeth 9 on theratchet-wheel, secured to shaft 0.

H represents a sleeve connected to the hub of wheel D, journaling instandard A, which is shown partly in section, Fig. 3, and forms ajournal-bearing for the shaft 0.

I represents a detent-arm keyed to the sleeve H. The spring which drivesthe clock-work train drives the wheel D forward by means of the pawl Gand ratchet g.

In order to wind the mechanism, the front end of shaft 0 is squared toform a spur, I, so that shaft 0 may be revolved backward, .by a wrenchfitting the spur 1, to wind the spring. When wheel D revolves forward,the detentarm I is carried with it. The clock-work train is arrested bymeans of the trippingl'ever J, which is held normallyin position bymeans of a spring, J, as shown in Fig. 3. The wheel 23 is preferablygeared to move around five times as wheel D, carrying the detent-arm I,moves around once, so as to signal the alarm five times when thetripping-lever J is de pressed, so as to allow the detent-arm I and thewheel D to start in motion. The lower end of the arm I is beveled oil",and the detent-arm Jis likewise beveled off in a reverse direction, asshown in Fig. 1, so that as tripping-lever J is depressed the arm I maybe moved sufficiently forward to bring the two inclines opposite eachother, to prevent the arresting of the motion of the arm I by thecontact of the points when tripping-lever J is forced upward by theretraction of the said shaft and seated against the disk M and the earL. v

m n represent binding-posts, to which wiresareconnected,thepostsbeinginsulated. When disk M is in contact with postit, and spring N is in contact with post m, the circuit is establishedthrough spring N and posts m 'n.

In order to have the magnet W normally out of ground-connection when thedoor of the firebox is closed, switch-shaft k is projected outward, soas to strike against door 0 of the fire-box. Moving spring N, Figs. 2and 5, from contact with post m, and disk M from contact with post it,breaks the ground-connection, as will be explained in connection withthe diagram Fig. 5. When the switch is in position shown in Fig. 4, posta and shaft 7c are in ground-connection with groundp t Q- P P representlightning-arrester plates,

forming part of the metallic circuit, which are placed in closeproximity to plate 2, and being of large area an overcharge of currentof atmospheric electricity on the wires and plates P P will be attractedby plate 2, and the overcharge carried off through wire 17 to theground, and prevent damage to the magnet W of call S, located in thefire-box.

I have shown by diagram Fig. 5 the method of connecting the parts incircuit.

B represents a call-bell operatedbya magnet, T, in circuit at, say,theprincipal station, but not inclosed in the alarm-box.

- S represents a call-bell inclosed within signal-box inmetallic-circuit connection.

U represents a, battery or other suitable the source of electricity, Xrepresenting, say, the copper or one pole, and Z the zinc or oppositepole.

The metallic circuit is as follows: 1 represents a Wire leading frompole X to plate P; thence from plate P, by wire 3 and spring-hook 10,through tooth or teeth of wheel 23, by wire 4, to plate P; thence bywire 4, through magnet T, to pole Z. \Vhen the circuit-wheel 23 isrevolved by the clocktrain, the regular alarm-signals are givenautomatically on call It by the contact made with the spring 10, whichcloses the currentintermittently. WVhen spring-hook 10 is not in contactwith the teeth of wheel 23, or when the latter is stationary, key 5 maybe operated to form a circuit through it with wire 4 and magnet T tooperate the call R. A sounder may be substituted for the bell R andordinary telegraphic signals made by means of the circuit-key 5. Key 5being in the fire-alarm box, the door must be opened to operate it.

In order to have a secondary circuit capable of operation when thefire-alarm box is open, I have provided ground-connections 6 7, to beused in lieu of the metallic circuit, said ground-connections being ofsmall area, and thereby offering a comparatively high resistance. Whenthe door of the box is closed, the ground-connection is broken at postsat and n, and when the door is open the reverse is the case. The area ofthe plates 6 and 7 is such that the resistance to the current is greaterthan through the metallic circuit, whereby the alarm will takeprecedence over the operation of the key. When the door of the box isopened, spring N is brought into contact with post an and disk M withpost a. A groundcircuit is established when key 13 is in contact withpost V as follows: from pole Z through Wire 4, magnet T, to plate P;then through spring N, post m, wire 21, magnet W,

wire 20, post a, disk M, rod t, lugs L, plate Q,

ground-wire 17, to ground 7 from ground 7 to ground 6; from ground 6,through key 13, switch 15, and wire 1, to pole X. It is thus evidentthat working-key 13 will give signals on call S and call B. By thisground-circuit signals may be given from either the box or station, asdesired. Switch 15 may be turned to throw the ground 7 out of circuitand employ the metallic circuit alone.

14. 16 show insulationsmade of gutta-percha, for effectually cutting outthe ground-circuit when the door 0 of the fire-box is closed, wherebythe rod 15 is driven inward, breaking the connection at posts m and a,as already described.

.In Fig. 1 I have shown key 5 attached to the frame of the clock-workmechanism and brought into metallic contact with the frame.

tact with frame Aby gutta-percha, 18. Spring 17 holds the key normallyout of contact with the metallic circuit.

The signal mechanism may be operated as follows: When the tripping arm Jis depressed so as to set the clock-train in motion, the call R at themain station is operated by the clock-train mechanism in the metalliccircuit above described. Key 5 is operated to ring the call R or signalwhen the clock-work train is stationary, and key 13 is operated throughthe ground-connections to signal call S when the clock-train is at restand the box open. Thus the operator at the main station can signalthrough call S any one of the stations by means of theground-circuit'when the door of the box is open, so that independentmethods of signals may be operated at either station-one by means of themetallic circuit and the other by means of ground-circuit-and theautomatic signal is operated by the metallic circuit and clock-train, asbefore described.

It will be observed that the mechanism herein shown may be employed forindependent signaling through the ground-connection; but this will notinterfere with the sending in of alarms through the metallic circuit, orindependent signaling from any one of the keys 5 in metallic circuit;but the operation of the signaling through the metallic circuit willinterrupt the signaling through the ground-circuit and take preferenceover the latter. As the metallic circuit has less resistance than theground-circuit, it will operate primarily, and the clock-train when setin motion will convey signals whether key 13 is operated or not.

I have shown in the diagram only one box in circuit with the mainotfice. It is obvious that as many signal-boxes and grounds 7 as desiredmay be put in metallic circuit 1 and4.

Various modifications may be made in the manner of connecting themetallic circuit and ground without materially affecting the operationherein described.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to secure by LettersPatent isl. The combination, with thenormallyopen metallic circuit andthe clock-work train arranged therein, of the automatic switch M N, theground-plates, the sliding rod t, and the door of the fire-box,substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the lightning-arrester and ground-connection,of the switch M N, the rod 25, having its ends insulated, the door 0,and a ground-circuit which is automatically closed by opening the doorand opened when the box is shut, whereby danger of sounding alarm bybreaking or cutting the wires is avoided, substantially as described.

3. The combination, withthe clock-train, of a magnet, WV, wires 20 and21, binding-posts m and a, the spring-actuated rod K, springswitch N,disk M, ground connection 17, Iightningarrester P P, metallic circuit 13 4, magnet T, and ground 6, substantially as described.

4. In combination with the clock-work train, substantially as hereinshown, and the normallyopen metallic circuit in which said train isarranged, the detent-arm I and tripping-lever J, adapted to be setinstantly in motion by the depression of the arm J, and a ground branchwhich is automatically brought into circuit when the metallic circuit isbroken by the closing of the door of the fire-box, substantially asspecified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

THOMAS F. GAYNOR.

lVitnesses:

JOSEPH W. SIMs, M. E. MILLIKAN.

